SAIPAN — Here is a full summary of recovery news from across the Marianas on Wednesday, April 29, Recovery Day 14 following Typhoon Sinlaku.
CUC BRIEFING: HOSPITAL ONLY, 90-DAY GOAL
Commonwealth Utilities Corporation held an evening briefing Wednesday disclosing that Power Plant 4 is down to a single functioning engine, serving only CHCC after a second engine failed overnight Tuesday. Executive Director Kevin Watson said the 90-day mark is CUC’s goal for broader restoration. The main hope is Power Plant 1, where engineers have dried out the control room to 80 to 85 percent. Engine 1, rated at 5.5 megawatts, is the first test target. If successful, it would allow CUC to synchronize the Aggreko system, adding 12 to 13 more megawatts. Guam Power Authority is sending 49 personnel arriving Saturday. Water is at 45 percent of wells with Kagman 100 percent restored, and Susupe and Chalan Kanoa receiving water for the first time Wednesday. CUC workers are on 12 to 15 hour shifts seven days a week.
ROTA WEST HARBOR CLOSED BY COAST GUARD
The U.S. Coast Guard has ordered the suspension of all cargo loading and discharge at Rota West Harbor’s commercial berths due to potential hazards at Berths 1 and 2, per CPA Port Update 18. Port of Saipan remains fully open and has installed a backup generator with dock light assessments underway for potential night operations.
GOVERNOR EXTENDS ADMIN LEAVE THROUGH MAY 6
Governor David M. Apatang has extended administrative leave for non-essential Executive Branch employees through Wednesday, May 6. Normal reporting resumes Thursday, May 7. Water disruptions were cited as the primary reason.
FREE WATER DISTRIBUTION THURSDAY AT TANAPAG
HSEM and FEMA will distribute bottled water Thursday at Tanapag Beach Playground from 9 a.m. to noon, or until supplies last. Limit is one case per family. Vehicles must stay in line. DPS will manage traffic.
CPA BOARD SPECIAL MEETING THURSDAY
The Commonwealth Ports Authority Board of Directors holds a special meeting Thursday at 2 p.m. at the CPA Meeting Room at Saipan International Airport. The agenda covers Sinlaku emergency expenditures across airports and seaports and typhoon emergency pay clarification. Public is welcome. Virtual access at meet.google.com/kcj-dbix-oab.
FEMA’S LARGEST SINGLE SHIPMENT
FEMA has dispatched its largest single Sinlaku relief delivery, assembled in Honolulu and routed through Guam: 45 generators, 250,000 meals, 650,000 liters of drinking water, 1,000 tents, 4,000 tarps and 24 containers of metal roofing supplies.
DISASTER RELIEF APP NOW LIVE
Rep. Marissa Rene Flores of Precinct 3 and developer P.K. Daigo have launched a geofenced, multilingual disaster intake app through the CNMI Disaster and Resiliency Task Force. No login required. Available in 10 languages. Report housing damage, register needs and connect with relief organizations. Access via QR code on Rep. Flores’ social media. Questions: (670) 785-9895. Tech support: (670) 286-3010.
CUC SAIPAN OFFICES CLOSED THROUGH MAY 6
CUC Saipan offices and the Customer Service Center will remain closed through May 6. Normal hours resume Thursday, May 7. Tinian and Rota offices remain open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Emergency line: (670) 664-4282.
NMC COMMENCEMENT POSTPONED
Northern Marianas College has postponed its 2026 Commencement Exercises, originally set for May 22. The college is assessing venues and dates. Graduating students should check their NMC email for details.
FEMA ELIGIBILITY: WHO QUALIFIES
FEMA disaster assistance is open to U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, green card holders, refugees, asylees, COFA residents from FSM, RMI and Palau, and others. Mixed-status households may apply on behalf of a U.S. citizen child under 18. Shelter, food, water, crisis counseling and legal services are available to all regardless of status. Apply at disasterassistance.gov.
10 WAYS FEMA HAS CHANGED SINCE YUTU
Micronesian Legal Services has released a guide on 10 changes to FEMA Individual Assistance since Typhoon Yutu, including no SBA loan requirement, up to $790 in immediate cash, easier appeals, expanded home repair eligibility and the ability to replace work equipment. Contact (670) 234-6243 or micronesialegal.org.
SBA DISASTER LOANS OPEN
SBA loans are open to businesses, homeowners, renters and nonprofits. Physical damage deadline is June 22. Economic injury deadline is January 25, 2027. Businesses and nonprofits: combined $2 million cap across physical and EIDL. Apply at lending.sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955.
DEQ GENERATOR SAFETY
DEQ has issued emergency guidance on generator use. Key reminder: never run a generator indoors. Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless and deadly. Keep generators at least 20 feet from structures. If you feel dizzy, have a headache or feel nauseous near a generator, get outside immediately and call 911. DEQ Clean Air Program: (670) 664-8500/12.
COTA: 399 EMERGENCY TRANSPORTS
The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority has completed 399 emergency transports since activating April 10: 226 medical, 105 shelteree, 37 airport and 18 military. Blue Line 1B runs daily 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CARS is essential trips only. Call-A-Ride Tinian resumes Thursday.
WIC CLINIC OPEN BY PHONE
The CNMI WIC Clinic is offering remote over-the-phone services Monday through Friday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Call (670) 664-4084.
SHELL STATIONS
Shell Dandan and Shell San Roque are now open 24 hours to all customers and first responders. Shell Highway Express runs 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Shell Susupe is closed for maintenance. Note that most stations are changing hours effective Thursday, April 30.
MOBIL STATIONS
Eight Mobil stations are open on Saipan today. Hours are changing effective Thursday, April 30 at most locations. Garapan, Chalan Kiya, Chalan Piao, Middle Road, Koblerville, Sadog Tasi, San Vicente and Susupe are all operating 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. Air is available at all except San Vicente. Cash and credit cards accepted.
DISABILITY NETWORK CNMI
The Disability Network CNMI is connecting residents with disabilities to recovery support. Submit your needs at go.hawaii.edu/ir9. Contact Eileen Babauta at cnmi.ucedd@marianas.edu.
ROTA CUC CREW LANDS ON SAIPAN
CUC water crews from Rota arrived Wednesday to work alongside Saipan crews. Rota completed 100 percent of its own restoration before mobilizing to help the sister island.
SAIPAN SOCCER SCHOOL IS BACK
The Tan Siu Lin Foundation and Saipan Soccer School resumed their free After School Program Monday at TSL Sports Complex in Gualo Rai. Nearly 80 kids are showing up each day, with more than 40 new enrollees. The program is free, open to ages 6 to 12, Monday through Friday, 2 to 6 p.m. Contact (670) 789-9192.
WEATHER
NWS is forecasting fair and dry conditions through the weekend. High around 87 degrees through Friday, partly cloudy with a 10 to 20 percent rain chance each day. NWS is monitoring Invest 91W near Kosrae and Pohnpei. No development is expected soon. A high rip current risk remains through Thursday on east-facing beaches.
MAYOR’S OFFICE ALERTS
Two notices from the Saipan Mayor’s Office: First, the office is not distributing MREs, cash assistance, free water or disaster tents. Do not share that information. Second, phone lines are experiencing surges due to high call volume. The office is working to restore normal service.
